[Asymmetry of movement direction of Myrmica rubra ants during maze learning motivated by food].

Asymmetry in direction of motion was found in Myrmica rubra ants at their learning in a symmetrical multi-alternative maze in conditions of "social" alimentary motivation. It was manifested in the form of preferable stay in the right half of the maze and was significant by several parameters: total number of motions, approaches to "false" spots and right turns. Unequal degrees of spatial-motor asymmetry (individual and for the whole sample) was revealed by various parameters. Most clearly the right-sided spatial preference was seen in the insects which had more approaches to goal with reinforcement taking than "exploratory" approaches. It is suggested that the parameters of motion direction asymmetry in ants learning in the maze depend on the level of alimentary "social" motivation.